Food was biggest target of cargo thefts in Q4 2014

Posted: Jan 12, 2015 2:02 PM | Last Updated: Jan 12, 2015 2:02 PM

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – More than $18 million of cargo was stolen in the United States in the last quarter of 2014.

CargoNet reported 181 total cargo theft events between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31.

There were 81 incidents in October, 60 in November, and 40 in December.

Most of the thefts (55%) occurred on weekends.

Food and beverage items were the most stolen commodity and accounted for 24 percent of cargo thefts. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages were the chief target in that commodity category, but cargo thieves frequently stole sensitive items such as produce, meat products, seafood, and frozen food. The end of the year brings increased demand for consumer electronics. Not surprisingly, electronics constituted the bulk of the loss value. Although there were only 25 cargo thefts of electronic items, each theft averaged about $417,250. Televisions were the most targeted electronic theft.